Inside Soccer: Chelsea's big spender is on the prowl

By RAVI UBHA, SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, July 14, 2003

He hasn't completed any major signings, but already Roman Abramovich is making his presence felt in England. (Let's assume that buying a cash-strapped club and pumping more than $250 million into it aren't reasons enough.)

Chelsea has been linked with virtually all the big names in the sport since the Russian billionaire took over two weeks ago, with even England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson getting in on the fun.

Abramovich and Eriksson have been seen around the town together, prompting the trigger-happy British press to suggest he'll be leaving the national team for Chelsea.

Chelsea did manage to sign former Real Madrid midfielder Geremi, who spent the season on loan with mediocre Middlesbrough.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of Chelsea's newfound wealth: "It looks like they've won the lottery. They are in the market and will be even more competitive next year because they have the potential to buy."

U.S. 'KEEPER FOR UNITED: U.S. national team goalie Tim Howard joined Manchester United yesterday, becoming the first Major League Soccer player to sign with the English Premier League champions.

Howard agreed to a four-year contract, leaving the MLS MetroStars after six seasons.

The 24-year-old goalie left Sunday for England, but will be back in the United States for United's tour later this month, which includes a match in Seattle against Glasgow Celtic.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder from New Jersey made nine appearances for the U.S. team, with three shutouts and a 0.63 goals-against average.

Howard should step right in for starting United goalie Fabien Barthez, who will miss the U.S. tour.

Howard will be the third U.S. national team goalie in the Premier League, joining Lacey native Kasey Keller of Tottenham Hotspur and Brad Friedel of Blackburn.

BEGGING BRAZILIAN: The Ronaldinho saga, meanwhile, is getting almost as interesting -- and boring -- as the David Beckham soap opera.

Man United, desperate to land the flashy midfielder after weeks of intense speculation, apparently increased its bid to Paris St. Germain to more than $30 million.

How badly does United want Ronaldinho? It was reported last week that manager Alex Ferguson flew to Paris to sit in on negotiations.

SPEAKING OF 'KEEPERS: Wenger wants to sign a new No. 1 'keeper in the next week.

Don't ask him where the money will come from, though.

The Gunners, who lost veteran David Seaman to Manchester City last month, can't spend much because their money is tied into a new stadium project.

If they can't find a new backstop, 22-year-old Stuart Taylor is set to be the first choice at Highbury.

"We are being a bit more cautious than we usually are. We have never been big spenders but this season we will be smaller spenders than ever," Wenger said.

The club needs a central defender and might lose majestic forward Dennis Bergkamp.

Bergkamp's agent, Rob Jansen, said the team's latest offer to the out-of-contract Dutchman was "too embarrassing for words." Wenger said he was confident, however, a deal would be completed soon.

HAMMER BLOWS: Transfer speculation surrounding several West Ham United stars died down after the club was relegated, but the exodus may be about to begin.

England midfielder Trevor Sinclair is expected to sign with Middlesbrough in the next few days, while former England forward Les Ferdinand joined newly promoted Leicester City on Friday.

West Ham also accepted an undisclosed fee from Chelsea for rising star Glen Johnson on Thursday, and it's a matter of time before international 'keeper David James and international midfielder Joe Cole leave Upton Park.

Kewell had drawn interest from Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United, among others.

"There was just something special about Liverpool," he said. "I was offered a lot more to go to different clubs, but that was not the main factor. The main factor was my family and the coach."

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier will be happy to hear that, but he's probably happier to have someone to provide linkup play between midfielders and forwards.

Leeds wasn't so excited. The transfer fee was believed to be just more than $8 million, a paltry figure for a player of Kewell's talent. To make things worse, Leeds claims Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry made an $11 million offer Friday, which Parry denied.

Kewell and his agent, Bernie Mandic, also denied taking a payoff from Leeds to seal the deal: Kewell probably would have walked away for nothing after his contract expired at the end of next season.

Oh, and why did Kewell reject United?

"Harry wanted a club he felt were on the up. United have had a huge amount of success, but they are destined for a downturn," Mandic said.

OUTFOXING OPPONENTS: Who's been the busiest team this off-season? Leicester, of course.

Relegated two seasons ago, it returned to the Premier League by finishing second in Division One.